1 Corinthians 11 is indeed a very controversial text, but I do not believe that it should be. It is very straight forward in what is says and even closes with a reiteration that the teachings it offers ought not to be disputed. Let us notice what is being taught:
1. There is a sacred, absolute, divinely appointed (God ordained) order of authority in the universe. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) Here we have spiritual heads mentioned. God is Christ’s spiritual head, Christ in Man’s spiritual head and Man is Woman’s spiritual head.
2. “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” We find this is a very important issue that affect our prayer life and our relationship to Christ and God. Now here the topic of discussion changes from a spiritual head to a physical head. I believe that the physical head is representative of the spiritual head. Something about a woman praying with her physical head uncovered dishonors her spiritual head (Man, Christ and God). I believe the answer to what lies in verse 10.
3. 1 Corinthians 11:10 “For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” (NKJV) The covering on a woman’s head is a symbol of her subjection to God’s order of authority. The terminology “because of the angels” has a rather frightening meaning. We understand that it is possible for angels to sin, and they have no forgiveness. The only sin that the Bible divulges that angles can commit is the sin of rebellion. “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6) When a woman removes her covering she commits the same sin of those angels in days of old “leaving her proper domain.”
4. The Apostle Paul defines what the “covering” of earlier verses is in vs. 15. “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.” Her long hair is the covering that God has given her, and it is a glory to her, a symbol of her love and subjection to God and his ways.
Q. Is this scripture taking about a veil, or artificial covering?
A. The Apostle Paul says no. “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.” The word for is from the Greek anti meaning in place of. Is a wonderful thing to consider: if a woman could not pray without an artificial covering it would put her in a lot of bad situations. The scripture nowhere restricts this to the assembly of the Church. If a woman is in a car accident and dying, unable to move, realizes that she needs to make her life right with God, she needn’t search around for a sheet to cover her head, if she has long hair she is covered with the covering God has given her.
Q. What does “long hair” mean?
A. We ought to let the Bible answer that question. Many today claim that if it is longer than a man’s (long in feet and inches) it is “long hair”. But the Bible says quite differently. In 1 Cor. 11:5-6, it says, “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.” There are three ways a person can wear there hair: 1) Shorn (cut or trimmed) 2) Shaven (Shaven bald) 3) Covered (Long). Notice also Ezekiel 44:20, “They shall neither shave their heads, nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.” Three ways the hair can be worn: 1) Shave their heads 2) Keep it trimmed 3) Let it Grow Long. You see the parallel? This is the word of God! The term let the hair grow is clarified in the book of number where we read about the Nazarite vow, “All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.” (Numbers 6:5) On top of all of this we find those who study such things inform us that the Greek word komao means literally “hair that is allowed to grow long; growth uninterrupted by cutting.” So we see that the Bible defines what long hair is, it is hair that is not shaven off, cut off or trimmed, hair that is touched by no razor, hair that is allowed to grow.
Q. What does Paul mean in Verse 16, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”?
A. First we can see obviously what it does not mean. It is ridiculous to assume that Paul is here saying that if you don’t like what I just said you don’t have to listen to me. All scripture is God breathed” the Bible says, does God waste his breath! Such a notion is absolutely ridiculous, God didn’t put 15 verses into the Bible for space filler. Let us cast this foolishness aside and attempt to see what the scripture actually teaches here. Here is what John R. Rice had to say on this verse:
“On the matter of submitting to authority, there are frequently those who “seem to be contentious.” Self-will dies hard, even in a Christian. We want our own way. Some of the Christians who were servants and slaves thought that now they were Christians they need not obey their masters. And children felt that now they were saved, they were equal to their parents. Citizens felt that they now need not obey their heathen rulers, and wives naturally felt themselves equal to their husbands. Were they not saved just the same way? Were not all members of the body of Christ alike? But to such people the Lord plainly gave command as you see in Colossians 3:18-25, Ephesians 5:22-6:9, and elsewhere. No doubt some wives wanted now to cut their hair and act like men. And perhaps some men encouraged it. Some men do now. But to all such Paul said, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” No custom of bobbed hair was allowed for women in New Testament churches. Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, who had more to do with founding churches and their control than any other man who lived, plainly said that this custom was never recognized and never allowed. Bobbed hair is unscriptural, and the idea of it was utterly repugnant to New Testament Christianity.” (Bobbed Hair, Bossy Wives and Women Preachers by John R. Rice; Sword of the Lord Publishers 1941©)
Some newer translations word it, “If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.” Let us not argue with God but submit wholly to his will in love and reverent service. CED